Chapter 1 Episode 1

"Young Alpha, please stop running around!"

The summer heat pressed down heavily, making the air thick and stifling. Raina had just stepped out from behind a cluster of rocks, lifting the hem of her dress to avoid tripping, when a wave of breeze hit her.

A golden blur flashed past her eyes and disappeared into a thicket of wildflowers, shaking the petals and leaves until some fell to the ground.

Something about today felt strange. Normally, these flowers should have wilted by now, but they remained in full bloom, untouched by the heat.

She had overheard the elder omegas in the pack whispering about signs like this unnatural changes in nature often meant something big was coming.

But what kind of change?

The Alpha had been sick ever since Luna passed away years ago, but lately, he had begun to recover. Just last week, he had even walked through the pack's garden with the help of his guards. Those who attended to him had received gifts. Even Raina, the young Alpha's nanny, had been rewarded with a pouch of silver coins.

Whether this was a good or bad omen, it did not concern her. What mattered right now was that the young Alpha-in-training was angry with her.

Standing at the edge of the flowers, she called out, "Come on, young Alpha, stop hiding! It's too hot to be running around like this. You'll make yourself sick."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a head popped up from between the flowers.

His face was strikingly beautiful-smooth and pale, almost glowing in the sunlight, as if he had never spent a day in the harsh elements. His dark brows were strong and well-shaped, framing a pair of intelligent, slightly upturned eyes. A straight nose and firmly pressed lips completed his handsome face. Though still seventeen, it was clear he would grow into a formidable Alpha one day.

Raina had been by his side for years, yet every time she looked at him, she couldn't help but admire how blessed he was by the Moon Goddess.

This was Kai Thorn, the Alpha's only son.

His expression was stormy as he crossed his arms. "Come on RiRi, tell me the truth, are you really planning to leave the pack without saying goodbyes?"

Being caught off guard by the question, Raina opened her month but she quickly shut them back.

she forced herself to remain calm. "When did I ever say that?"

"I heard the others talking! They said you were getting ready to go!"

He must have overheard her conversation with Mira and the Alpha. She was the only one aware of her leaving.

Mira was her niece but she had been in the packhouse longer than Raina, serving in the Alpha's household since she was a pup. When Raina arrived three years ago, she had been assigned to serve the Luna instead.

She still remembered the day everything changed.

The Alpha and his son had been training, and the young heir had been losing.

His frustration had been obvious, his pride on the verge of breaking. Raina had not been able to stop herself. "Use your left side! Fake an opening and strike!"

Because of her words, he had turned the battle around.

She had feared punishment, but the next day, the Alpha had summoned her. Instead of scolding her, he had made her Kai's tutor and nanny.

It was the Luna who had recommended her. She had been a gentle and graceful woman, the kind of beauty that made the world seem softer just by being in it. She and the Alpha had truly loved each other, and her passing had left a wound that time could not heal.

Before her death, the Luna had called Raina to her bedside. "Raina, my son is stubborn and lonely. He trusts no one but you. Stay by his side. Protect him when he needs it, even if it means sacrificing yourself. This is the only favor I will ever ask of you. Will you do it?"

Raina had nodded without hesitation.

She had been in the pack so long that she barely remembered her own family.

Kai was like a brother, someone she had cared for and guided. But now, after three years, he was nearly of age. And finally, the Alpha had allowed her to leave after his eighteen birthday.

She had not expected Kai to find out. And she had not expected him to be so upset.

Raina had no choice but to soften her voice, trying to calm him down. "Kai, don't make this difficult. Even if I do leave, it's only natural. The Alpha himself"

Kai suddenly tensed, his golden eyes burning with frustration. "So you really wanted to leave without saying goodbyes, huh?"

She sighed. "Kai-"

Before she could finish, her eyes suddenly scanned the garden..

Why us everywhere so quiet?

And were are the guards?

This garden was never this quiet. Even on slow days, warriors would patrol every few minutes. But now, there was nothing, no movement, no distant chatter, not even the familiar sounds of pack members training nearby.

Why was it so silent?

Kai was still upset, completely unaware of Raina's change in expression.

"Raina, if you want to go back to your old pack, I'll bring them here! No! I'll make them part of Thorn territory. You won't have to leave at all!"

Just as he finished speaking, a loud, earth-shaking crash sounded from the south.

Both of them froze. The sound was massive like the heavy wooden gates of the packhouse being forcefully broken down. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then came the shouts, the terrified screams, and the unmistakable clash of steel against flesh.

Kai turned to her, his face pale. "Raina what is happening?"

The distant screams grew louder. A sharp, gut wrenching fear clawed at Raina's chest.

Her instincts screamed at her. "Kai, hide-now!"

"Hide? What?"

Something was wrong. She didn't know how she knew, but deep inside, she felt the danger was connected to him. As if whatever was happening was coming straight for them.

Before she could say more, a piercing scream tore through the air. The scent of blood filled the garden. A young omega, barely older than Kai, staggered through the entrance, his throat slashed open, eyes wide with horror. He collapsed before them, unmoving.

Raina barely had time to think. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Kai and dragging him into the thick bushes.

Through the gaps between the leaves and petals, she saw them, the invaders pouring into the garden, their silver swords dripping with fresh blood.

More omegas and young pack members tried to run, but the attackers cut them down without hesitation. The scent of blood grew thicker, hot droplets splattering onto the flowers around them, staining them red.

Raina didn't dare to move. She pressed a hand tightly over her mouth, forcing herself to stay silent, though her body trembled with fear. In her arms, Kai was stiff, his small frame shaking.

The massacre continued, but soon, the sounds of slaughter faded. In the distance, beyond the garden's walls, the horror continued, agonized screams, the brutal sounds of silver blades sinking into flesh, the crackle of fire.

What was happening? Who would dare attack the Alpha's palace like this?

Raina held Kai tighter, her mind racing for answers. But before she could think, another group of intruders entered the garden.

This time, they moved with more purpose. Their leader walked ahead of them, clad in golden-white armor. His entire body was stained with blood, but the tip of his silver sword remained spotless, gleaming under the moonlight.

Kai slowly lifted his head, peeking through the gaps in the bloodstained petals. The moment his gaze landed on the man, his entire body tensed. His breathing stopped.

It was as if he had seen a monster.

Then, a cold, emotionless voice filled the air.

"Have you found him?"

The moment Raina heard that voice, her heart stopped.

She knew that voice.

This wasn't just an attack.

This was a betrayal.